Long Beach High School is proud to announce Joshua Kapilian and Dmytro Vremenko as the Class of 2019 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Both seniors have numerous achievements to their names and are National Honor Society members as well as International Baccalaureate Diploma Program candidates. 

Recently named a National Merit Commended Student, Joshua has excelled academically with numerous awards and achievements. He attended the Columbia Science Honors Program since seventh grade, earned the Intel Award for Excellence in Computer Science and second- and third-place distinctions at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair and took second-place at the Long Island Science Congress before advancing to receive an honorable mention at the state-level contest. He is also an outstanding math student, having placed first in the Nassau County Science Fair for Mathematics/Computer Science, earned acceptance to the Institute for Creative Problem Solving and been named a Long Island Scholar. He attended the Math Research Institute and won the Gold Medal at the Al Kalfus Long Island Math Fair for his work. He also served as president and captain of the school Math Club and achieved the second highest individual score in Nassau County at the New York State Math League. He plans to pursue the computer science field in college.

“Being able to go to science research competitions and seeing the great things students are able to do locally inspired me,” Joshua said. 

Joshua is also an accomplished musician and member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. His talents as a vocalist, violist and pianist have led him to participate in the symphonic orchestra, select choir, Soundwaves a capella group, jazz band and chamber orchestra. He was selected for three All-State ensembles, is a six-time All-County musician, performed in the Long Island String Festival Association concerts twice and attended the 2018 School of Orchestral Studies of the New York State Summer School of the Arts. He has also held roles in theater productions. 

Dmytro is a member of the Math Club’s board and participates in DECA and the Senior Class organization. He is also a successful science research student, with aspirations to study biological chemistry or medicinal chemistry, and worked in an organic chemistry lab at Farmingdale State College over the summer. He has played travel soccer for four years and is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, as well as a lifeguard and swim instructor.

When reflecting on his high school experience, Dmytro noted that the science classes he has taken, along with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, have been of immense value. 

“The IB curriculum and its application to life outside of school is really able to mold us into well-rounded individuals,” he said. 

Both students have sound advice to share with younger peers as far as managing time and being successful in their endeavors. They agreed that following one’s passion is a priority and that students will find the utmost benefit in taking classes that interest them. 

“In terms of classes, start early in the routine of getting ahead on your work,” Joshua said. “The earlier the better.” 

“Figure out a routine that works for you personally and apply it to as many forces as you can,” Dmytro added.